Welcome to the GEMS Summer Newsletter!
With a new look and feel this season we hope you enjoy articles from
Managing Director, Julie McGraw and exploring new Venues across Australia!
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A Word from Managing Director
Julie McGraw
We Commend You
Parkroyal Darling Harbour!
New and Dynamic
Event Venues across Australia
AELERT 2022 Conference
Another GEMS Hybrid Success!
Available Grants
Queensland Grants
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A Word from
Managing Director
Julie McGraw
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Are PCOs Service Providers or Business Consultants?
I started being a PCO 35 years ago and to be honest, I worked without a net. My background was hotels and in the early 80’s I did work on some of the biggest conferences seen in Sydney. So my transition to PCO was energetic, brave and naive. 35 years in the business and I wonder why I wasn’t so business savvy to now be in the leagues of the bigger players in the industry.
I know exactly why!
First of all .. we built our business on trial by error. The errors weren’t in delivery but definitely in what we charged. However, my background as a hospitality consultant for 8 years taught me that profit is key. It all comes down to the bottom line and as I get older and particularly post COVID, our clients can’t loose money and they wholeheartedly
rely on us to make them money.
Over 300 client jobs in 35 years, we have
lost money for clients 5 times. Four of those instances were when clients signed unrealistic venue contracts prior to engaging us, their PCO.
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So are we organisers or business managers?
I think the latter.
I consider every conference to be a business startup. We earn money, pay the bills, shut the business down and deliver a profit to our clients. That’s our norm and it’s why we have clients that come to us again, and again.
I often hear clients talk about not wanting to make money. Bah humbug. Surplus gives clients choice. It gives them the opportunity to provide scholarships to students. It gives them the opportunity to get more influential speakers, book bigger venues for future events without risk, and ultimately gives them the opportunity to fund projects that are important.
At the end of the day, if you appoint a PCO they
have a responsibility to make your event financially successful. If they don’t have the capacity to do that, they aren’t business managers and you should kick them to the kerb.
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We Commend You
Parkroyal Darling Harbour
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It’s not too often you come across a first-hand feel-good story that gives you the warm and fuzzies!
Following the recent conference we held at the ICC in Sydney for the Australian Association of Special Education, I was truly impressed with one story from attending delegate, Catholic Education Inclusion Officer, Liliana Russell.
Liliana has retinitis pigmentosa - a degenerative eye disease that causes a gradual but constant loss of sight. When
we first met Liliana upon arrival at the Conference, she was accompanied by
her fluffy and adorable guide dog, April.
Having spoken with Liliana a number of times over the course of the event, she gave some incredible feedback on her experience with the staff at the Parkroyal Darling Harbour where she was staying.
Upon arrival in Sydney, Liliana and April were only a few minutes’ walk away from the Parkroyal Darling Harbour, however, had issues with reaching the hotel. Waiting at the lights a gentleman approached and asked Liliana if she needed assistance. When advising her destination, the man mentioned he worked at the Parkroyal Darling Harbour and that it was only a short walk away. The man politely asked if Liliana would like his assistance to the hotel and then offered to walk with her. Upon arrival at the front desk, the team were accommodating and even noted that they were expecting her and April.
On the first morning she was to attend the Conference at the ICC a staff member asked if Liliana knew of the walking bridge situated near the hotel over to the ICC. The staff member then offered to walk with her over to the ICC to ensure she made it to the correct event location within the ICC.
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During her time at the hotel, there was one particular instance where she accepted assistance from a staff member who politely asked if she minded if he provide guidance by holding her arm. Liliana was truly impressed that this staff member knew how to appropriately assist (as this is certainly not always the case).
This assistance was not expected, but certainly appreciated by a very grateful Liliana. In her own words, “The team at the Parkroyal Darling Harbour went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable and provided assistance to a standard that I would consider best practice”.
This story and incredible feedback could not be left untold and we congratulate the team at the Parkroyal Darling Harbour. You should be proud of how you conducted yourself during Liliana and April’s stay.
We can only summate that the Parkroyal team genuinely care for their guests and ensure a comfortable stay. We certainly look forward to working with them again in the near future!
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Event Venues across Australia
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There are always new and exciting Venues popping up across Australia. From Melbourne Park's new hotspot Centrepiece to the iconic Ace Hotel in Sydney's trendy Surry Hills. Click here to see the article on these two new and dynamic Venues. |
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AELERT 2022 Conference
Another GEMS Hybrid Success!
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GEMS Event Management Australia has successfully presented the Australasian Environmental Law Enforcement Regulators Network (AELERT) Conference during late November in Parramatta.
The Conference drew more than 300 delegates from across Australia and New Zealand. With more than 70 of those joining remotely via our world class Virtual Conference delivery platform, OnAir by EventsAir.
The Event featured a number of high-profile keynote speakers including:
The Hon. Justice Brian J Preston, Chief Judge of the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales who presented on ‘The Evolution of Environmental Regulation’
Greg Mullins AO, AFSM, Internationally recognised expert in responding to major bushfires and natural disasters who presented on ‘Paying the price: A decade of climate inaction and neglect’
The Conference also included speciality workshops and concurrent sessions which drew together more than 40 leading practitioners in the environmental law enforcement and regulatory sector.
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The event was generously sponsored by Comtrac and ICETS (Investigation Compliance & Enforcement Training Systems).
Highlights of the social program included an after-dinner presentation by Sean Willmore of The Thin Green Line Foundation at CommBank Stadium and a vibrant welcome reception.
“The Conference comprised a multi streamed hybrid setup, however the onsite audio visual team had never before worked with OnAir and this caused some technical challenges. Given our experience in virtual/hybrid events and the willingness of
the team from Encore to work with us, these challenges were overcome with minimal impact on the event” Julie McGraw, Managing Director said.
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For more information on our capacity to deliver In-person, virtual or hybrid events please call:
Michelle Glasson
Director Marketing and Business Development on (02) 9744 5252.
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Available Grants
As always, our team is on the lookout for available grants and funding opportunities that can be accessed by our clients looking to host conferences across Australia.
GCCEC Reopens Linkage Grant Program
Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre reopens Linkage Grant Program to help build international business events pipeline. The Program helps promote the Gold Coast as a destination for international business and academic events by providing grants to support individuals’ attendance at international association conferences.
Through this financial support, recipients are offered an opportunity to advance their own professional development and profile of their institute, company or employer, whilst acting as a global champion for the Gold Coast and the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. Click here to learn more about this available grant.
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Queensland Government Convention & Exhibition Centre
Economic Recovery Bid Support Program
The Queensland Government has extended their $7 million Queensland Government Convention and Exhibition Centre Economic Recovery Bid Support Program. Dedicated to attracting business events to the three state-owned convention centres, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Cairns Convention Centre and Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The fund will support nationally rotating conferences of 350+ delegates that book at one or more of the three Queensland Convention Centres for events up to 30th June 2026.
For full details and eligibility criteria, please download the funding program PDF below.
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Do you need guidance and support to deliver
your next in-person, hybrid or 100% virtual event?
With over 30 years expertise in hosting complex, multi-faceted events beyond 1,000 attendees, we can help deliver your next conference or event. Contact Michelle Glasson, Director Marketing and Business Development +61 2 9744 5252 or email mglasson@gemsevents.com.au
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